Electrode.



F. G. WHEELER.

ELECTRODE.

APPLICATION HLED JUtYZh 19:0.

art-v21 H01:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK G. WHEELER, OF APPLETON. WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO BLEACH PROCESSCOMPANY. OF APPLETON. WISCONSIN. A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRODE.

Specification of Letters Igatent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

To all who if may concern:

Be it known that I. FRANK G. Yum-2111a. a citizen of the l'nited States.residing at Appleton. in the county of Outagamie and State of Wisconsin.have invented certain new aml useful Improvements in Electrodes. ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention is an electrode which is designed especially for use asan anode in the electrolysis of chlorid solutions. although obviouslysusceptible of use in many other relations. In its preferred embodimentthe electrode comprises a bar. rod. or the like of graphite or otherform of carbon which constitutes the active anode. and a metallicterminal in internal screw-threaded engagement with the carbon. thatportion of the carbon which surrounds the metallic terminal being soimpregnated with a liquidproofing composition as effectively to preventaccess of the electrolyte or its decomposition products: to the metal ofthe terminal. The portion of the metal terminal which engages theinterior of the carbon bar is preferably formed of a fusible metal oralloy. such as hard lead. whereby the metal elements of the terminal maybe recovered from the carbon stubs at the end of their period of usefullife. In use the electrode so mounted in conjunction with the cover orother portion of the cell wall that the active carbon electrode lieswholly within the cell. the metallic terminal extending through thecell-cover or other portion of the cell wall. for connection to thecurrent leads. The word carbon" as ei'nployed herein includes graphite.

An illustrative embodiment of'the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings. wherein the figures are central vertical sec tions ofelectrodes embodying the invention. the said figures illustrating alsocertain preferred modes of mounting the electrodes in the electrolyticcell.

Referring to Figure 1. 1 indicates the upper portion of a graphite barconstituting the anode proper. and 2 an internally screw-thrcadwl recesstherein. The conductor which may be of tinned steel. copper. bronze orother metal or alloy extends axially into the. recess '2. and ismechanically and electrically connected with the graphite by a body offusible metal. usually hard lead. This metal is cast upon the conductor3 before the latter is inserted in place'in the carbon, and is providedas shown with screwthreads for engaging the internal threads of thecarbon bar. Preferably the recess! is of slightly greater depth than thescrewthreaded portion of the lead connector 4. and the latter isprovided at its upper or outer portion with a shoulder or flange 5. thepurpose of this arrangement being to permit the shoulder 5 to contactfirmly with the upper face of the carbon bar in such manner as toincrease the area of effective electrical contact therewith. The fusiblemetal may enter one or more recesses (i in the conductor 3 for thepurpose of preventing displacement under torsional strains when themetallic portion of the terminal is screwed into the carbon: or thisresult may be obtained by providing any other form of positiveengagement between the metal members 3 and t.

In a construction of this type it is absolutely necessary for themaintenance of a permanently effective electrical connection between thelead and the carbon that any access'to the metal of the electrolyte. orof chlorin or other products of dccomlmsition thereof. should beprevented. This result I accomplish by impregnating the adjacentportions of the carbon with a suitable tilling material. To this end Iintroduce the impregnating liquid or composition into the recess in theupper portion of the carbon bar. and thereafter screw the metal terminalfirmly to its seat. Under these conditions the plunger action of theterminal upon the liquid composition in the recess forces the latterinto the pores of the carbon. thus providing the most effectiveconditions for pressure impregnation. \Vhile my invention is not limitedto any particular impregnating composition. I may usecorncottonseedfishtunglinseed-oils or like glycerids: or such asphalticproducts as gilsonite. claterite. etc.; or preferably mixtures of aglycerid and an asphaltic product. thinned if necessary by a light.hydrocarbon such as gasolene.

The employment of lead in the manner above (lescribed not only providesa highly effective and pcrn'iancnt electrical connection with the carbonthroughout the life of the latter. but permits the metal' elements ofthe terminal to be readily recovered in usalile condition. For thispurpose it is merelv necessary to heat the stuh of the electrode inorder to melt the fusil le metal or alloy. when the. conductor an hewithdrawn and the molten metal poured out in condition for re-eastinAlthough I prefer in every case to use a fll ilile metal lietween theconductor bar and th carbon which constitutes the active anode. invinvention is not limited thereto. ina much as excellent results areobtainable with proper impregnation when using a terminal consisting ofan integral metal part. and comprising for example a screwthreadedportion. shoulder. and shank of lua s or hronze. as indicated at T inFig. '2.

.\n electrode constructed described hove must he so mounted inconnection with the cell-cover or other portion of the (fell liody aseti'ectively to protect all metal parts again t the action of chlorin orother corrosive products: at the same time it is desiralile that thecarlion portion of the electrode should lie wholly within the cell.since in this way it can he most fully utilized. These results may lieaccomplished as illustrated in Fig. 1 hy passing the conductor 2.through an aperture 8 in the stoneware or other cover J of the cell. agasket 1U of soft ruhher or the like being provided between the uppersurface of the carbon and the lower face of the cover. the whole beingdrawn into firm engagement by means of a nut 11 on the conductor 23. 1'.indicates a lead washer. and 13 the anode conductor 01' hits HU'. Thelower surface of the cover may lie recessed a indicated at 1-l toreceive the houlder .3 of the metal terminal.

The cell-cover may if desired he of iron as indicated at in Fig. .3.heing provided of course. with an internal resistant lining indicated ati In such cases the present form oi connector presents the advantagethat the conductor liar may lie flat upon the top of the cell. wherebythe whole cover serves as a current conductor and distributer to theanodes at one and the same time.

'hen the carbon portion of the anode is to he mounted some distancebelow the cellcover I provide a sleeve of hard rnl'iher. stoneware orother inert material. as indicated at 15 in Fig. 2. this sleeveencircling the shank of the terminal and bearing upon soft ruhhergaskets 10 located hetween the. sleeve and the cell-cover and cal-lionanode res ta -tively. This sleeve may of course he of any desiredthickness and may he recessed as at 14 to receive the shoulder of theterminal.

I claim 1. .\u electrode comprising a carhon portion provided with arecess. a metalli con duetor extending into said recess. and a hody offusi ile metal hetween said conductor and the t'ilI'lNiIi and engagingthe latter hy in ans of a scrc\\"tlil'cntl. the portion of tho carhonadjacent the metal hcing impervious to the t lectrolyte or itsdecomposition products.

'3. .\n electrode comprising a carlion hody provided with a recesshaving an internal screw thread. the portion immediately surrounding therecess heing impregnated with an acid proof sulistanee. a bodyot'i'usihle metal having an external screw thread to tit the threads ofsaid recess and a metallic terminal securely locked in the iody ot't'usil)lt' metal.

3. In comhination with an electrolytic cell having a cover. an electrodecomprising a ttll'lltlll portion provided with a rece having an internalscrew-thread. 'a metallic terminal extending into said recess andengaging the threaded portion thereof. the portion of the carlionadjacent the metal lieing impervious to the electrolyte or itsdecomposition products. a gasket encircling the terminal and lyinghetwccn the cat-lion hotly of the electrode and the interior face f thecell cover. and means for forcing the carhon hody of the electrode intocontact with said gasket to make a liquid-tight joint therewith.

4. In comhination with an electrolytic cell having a cover. an electrodecomprising a carhon portion provided with a rece s having an internalscre\vthre:ul. a metallic. terminal extending into said recess andengaging the threaded portion thereof. the portion of the tttll)t)l1adjacent the metal being impervious to the electrolyte or itsdecomposition products. an insulating sleeveencircling the metallicterminal hetween the ca rl on body of the electrode and the interiorface of the cell cover. and means for forcing said elements into contactto make a liquidtight joint.

5. An electrode comprising a carlion hody and a metal terminal. theportion of the carbon adjacent the metal terminal heing impregnated witha mixture containing asphaltum and a glycerid.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK (i. Wlllllllilil-t. \Vitnesses:

Ana E. Lannm. S. R. S'nLP.

1 Copiei of ihll patent may be obtained for In cent: F5, 117 a'ldi iiing' the "G'binmluloxter (if Petun

